Headonism Recipients for 2016/2017

The British Fashion Council today announces the recipients of Headonism 2016. This year milliners Laura Apsit Livens and The Season Hats join existing Headonism designers Harvy Santos and Sophie Beale. The four milliners will display their spring/summer 2017 collections in a dedicated installation in the Designer Showrooms during London Fashion Week September 2016 at Brewer Street Car Park.

Headonism is a BFC designer support initiative curated by Stephen Jones OBE, celebrating the new wave of emerging British milliners. Recipients showcase their pieces at an installation during London Fashion Week each season, while also receiving mentorship and business support throughout the year.

Stephen Jones OBE, milliner and curator of Headonism commented: "I am thrilled Headonism continues to evolve and engage with new members. I welcome The Season Hats (Paul Stafford and Selina Horshi) and Laura Apsit Livens to our group of Merrie Milliners, which include Harvy Santos and Sophie Beale. I look forward to their innovative and stylish Spring Summer 2017 hats to be launched at London Fashion Week.”

Harvy Santos began his career as a professional ballet dancer in Hong Kong before studying millinery at Kensington and Chelsea College. His work has appeared in Arena Homme Plus, the Financial Times, Harper’s Bazaar China, the Royal Ascot Style Guide, Vogue Japan and W Magazine amongst others. His playful pieces are entirely handmade in his London studio, and are stocked internationally including Fenwick of Bond Street, Joyce (Hong Kong) and Suzanne Couture Milliner (New York). @HarvySantosHats

Laura Apsit Livens is an LCF graduate now based in Mayfair, which is home to her atelier and showroom. She has collaborated with brands including Bally Swiss and past clients include Paloma Faith, Rita Ora and Princess Beatrice. Laura is dedicated to championing the craft of couture millinery, and fuses modern design with artisan techniques - each piece is blocked and stitched entirely by hand without the use of any machinery. Stockists include Fenwick of Bond Street and The Shop at Bluebird. @LauraApsitLivens

Sophie Beale graduated with distinction from Kensington and Chelsea College and has since returned to teach future milliners. After working as a couture milliner with Stephen Jones, Sophie moved on to launch her own brand. She has won multiple awards including Grazia’s Hat Factor and her work was selected from over 100 milliners to join a celebration of Britain’s finest millinery in association with the Olympics. Stockists include Audrey et Auguste (Hong Kong) and Fortnum and Mason. @SophieBeale1

The Season Hats was founded by Paul Stafford and Selina Horshi; Paul followed a BA in Natural Sciences with a degree in Womenswear (specialising in millinery) at the Royal College of Art. This unconventional background has led innovative, playful collections that are still immensely wearable, such as their signature range of satin folding hats. Solving the dilemma of how to transport delicate headwear, the hats make use of Chinese paper folding techniques and open like intricate fans. The Season Hats are stocked in Alan Journo (Milan) and Fenwick of Bond Street. @TheSeasonHats
Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive, British Fashion Council, commented: “Millinery is a real craft, and Headonism always champions technically creative and accomplished designers. With two new designers, this season’s line up is as strong as ever, and I really look forward to seeing their new collections in the Designer Showrooms this September. The carefully crafted hats on display each season are always so captivating and elegant!”